David Roberts

Convent of St. Catherine, Mount Sinai: Roberts' 19th C. Hand-colored Lithograph

1844

This is an original 19th century hand-colored lithograph entitled "Petra, Shewing the Upper or Eastern End of the Valley" by David Roberts, from his Egypt, The Holy Land and Nubia volumes of the large folio edition, published in London by F. G. Moon in 1842. The lithographs were prepared by Louis Haghe (1806-1885) from drawings and paintings by Roberts. The resultant large folio editions of 'The Holy Land' and 'Egypt & Nubia' are considered the greatest lithographically illustrated works issued in the 19th century. This is one of Roberts' most famous and collectible works. The scene captures a view of the magnificent ruins of Petra in what is Jordan today, as it appeared on March 8, 1839, on the day of Roberts' visit. Multiple Arab men are approaching Petra; some on foot and others riding camels. They are dressed in their colorful local costumes. Roberts' signature and hand written date are reproduced in the plate on the left. This hand-colored lithograph is printed on wove paper with wide margins. There is some loss of color in the text in the title and a faint dark curvilinear area in the upper right. The print is otherwise in very good condition. It is presented in a gold-colored wood frame with a tan mat. It is glazed with UV protected conservation glass. All framing materials used are archival museum quality. The frame measures 23.5" high and 30.5" wide. There are two additional iconic David Roberts hand-colored lithographs for sale on 1stdibs that are matted and framed in identical styles, although slightly different sizes. They are scenes of Approach of Simoon, Desert of Gizeh and the Citadel of Cairo. They can be viewed by typing their reference #'s, LU1173211955452 and LU1173211970142, into the 1stdibs search field or typing Timeless Intaglio in the search field and tapping on the drop down name to be taken to our storefront. Two or all three of these pieces would make for a striking display grouping. A discount is available for the purchase of multiple pieces. David Roberts (1796-1864) was a Scottish painter who specialized in landscapes, architectural subjects, and scenes from the Middle East and Europe. Born in Edinburgh, Roberts began his career at age ten as an apprentice to a house painter and eventually became a scene painter for theater companies in Edinburgh and London. In the 1820s, J. M. W. Turner recognized his artistic talent and encouraged him to become a full-time artist. He began to focus on painting landscapes and architecture. In 1838 he traveled to Egypt and soon after to the Holy Land, concluding in Jerusalem. Roberts' travels in the Middle East had a profound impact on his art, and he produced a series of highly detailed and realistic paintings and sketches of the region's famous ruins and other landmarks, including the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, the Temple of Abu Simbel...

This is an original 19th century hand-colored lithograph entitled "Portico of the Temple of Kalabshi" by David Roberts, from his Egypt and Nubia volumes of the large folio edition, p...

This is an original 19th century duotone lithograph entitled "The Entrance to the Citadel of Cairo" by David Roberts, from his Egypt and Nubia volumes of the large folio edition, pub...

This is an original 19th century hand-colored lithograph entitled "Absaloms Pillar, Valley of Schoshaphat" by David Roberts, from his Egypt and Nubia volumes of the large folio editi...

'Convent of the Terra Santa, Nazareth', tinted lithograph by Louis Haghe (1806-1885) after David Roberts RA. David Roberts (1796-1864) traveled throughout Egypt and the Holy Land in...

'Medinet Abou, Thebes', tinted lithograph by Louis Haghe (1806-1885) after David Roberts RA. David Roberts (1796-1864) traveled throughout Egypt and the Holy Land in the late 1830s ...

Chapel of Santa Rosalia is an original modern artwork realized in Italy in the first half of the 19th Century. Original Colored Lithograph on Ivory Paper. Inscripted on the lower...

'Nablous, The Ancient Shechem', tinted lithograph after David Roberts RA. Signed in stone lower right. Printed title below the image. Roberts travell...